Goodbye Austin

Today (Monday) I started really slow with the kids. We watched TV almost the whole morning and after lunch we went down to Kirkland and bought a ice cream and were at the water. It was really, really hot so the kids went in the water, even though they didn't wear swim suits ;)

At 3, when the quiet time was over at Anna's place, we went there to swim in their pool. Slater was still in bed but Jay and Lance were there so we all went in to the pool and it was so nice. We had a war over the floating things, Au Pairs vs kids....the kids won. They were so sad when we went out of the water to rest and they were on us all the time to get back in. Ace didn't really know where to go cause he was so excited now when there were a lot of people. Cute but stupid dog. Anna told me that he had fallen in to the pool, reaching for a leaf, and he doesn't know how to swim ;) Anna had to help him out of there but I bet he'll fall in to it again soon ;)

We stayed there for almost three hours and the kids had so much fun, and me too. I wish we had a pool here! Well we have but I would like a bigger one and one U don't have to inflate ;)

Lotta was already home when we came cause we stayed at Anna's place a bit long, but it was OK cause we had to wait for Jonas before we could go out and eat. Lotta said in the morning that it was gonna be hot and that we needed to eat at a place with air condition ;)

We went to a place we think is new, at the Marina Park. It's a Mediterranean restaurant called "Olive You" It's really nice and have a big terrace where U can sit and look at all the people passing bye.

The kids were tired after the long, warm day and also hungry so they were a bit cranky. I had a avocado salad but they didn't give U very much avocado which was a bummer since that was why I took it. Well, well....it was good anyways.

The family went to get a ice cream afterwards but I had a goodbye party to attend so I went home and got dressed instead.

It's Austin, a American guy that I got to know through Elliotte's parties, that are going to study at the University that's 5 hours away from here (forgot the name ;)) I don't really know him so well but there are a lot of cool people coming and I never say no to a party ;) But it's a bit weird that it's on a Monday but whatever.

Chris picked me and Anna up and then we drove to Everett where Austin and Mike lives. The apartment was great! It's big and well planned and I would totally live there if I had the chance.

There weren't so many people there and we didn't know any of them cause they were High school friends of Austin but some of them were nice and funny.

Mike, who was roommate with Austin, had a dog called Harley. It was really cute and so soft and ran around with his toy in his mouth looking for someone who wanted to play with him.

We occupied the spot next to the fan cause it was extremely hot and after a while famous people arrived an joined us.

I had a great evening talking with many of my closest friends which was really nice cause soon I won't see any of them again....:( It feels so weird that when U say goodbye now it's probably forever...my brain doesn't really realize that cause I just say like "See ya" and then it's like: "Wait, maybe we're not!" There are so many people I'll miss and I just hope I can come back and visit them again.

Back home I felt really sad and I didn't want to work tomorrow. I was tired and a bit drunk ;) So I just went to bed to try to sleep my sorrows off my mind...

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Vancouver on bikes

Today (Sunday) we had to go up pretty early, at 9:30 ;) Cause we needed to check out at 11 and we wanted the free breakfast and then stopped serving that at 10. It was not much of a breakfast, just toast and juice, but it was free ;)

We packed our stuff and left them at a storage room when we checked out cause we wanted to explore the city a bit more before we went back home. The people at the hostel recommended to go to the Stanley Park and we had been talking about how long ago it was since we road a bike so we rented one each and went through the city to the park. It was such a nice feeling to be on a bike again and to go through the city was really cool. At some places it was a bit scary cause we drove together with the cars but it went fine and we had Anna who showed the way so it was no problem.

The park was really beautiful and it's kind of a half island so we always went just beside the water and we could see the downtown skyline and also the north part which was really cool. We passed some beaches and there were a lot of people cause today was also really hot. There were also a lot of people in the park and many were riding bikes, inlines or walking so at some places at the trail it was really crowded.

It didn't even take us two hours to get around and it was a perfect time cause we needed to be home around 4 cause Anna was going to dinner with her host family.

When we went to get to the car we were a bit nervous about how expensive it would be but the cashier was really nice so he gave us the hotel rate and then it wasn't that bad. My great looks helps a lot ;)

The drive home was faster, it only took 3 hours even though we had to wait longer at the border. The officer were really nice and we didn't have any problems at all with our VISAs which was nice.

I dropped off Anna, then M and on my way home I stopped at Subway and got my dinner. It was so hot and as soon as I got home, I packed my bag and went to the beach. First I stopped at QFC and bought strawberries, juice and chips ;)

There were a lot of people at the beach and I had to drive a while before I could find a parking spot, but it was so nice when I finally could jump in to the water and cool off. I ate my food and read my book and didn't worry about a thing. Just a perfect way to end a weekend.

The family wasn't home yet cause they had been camping in Port Angeles this weekend and that was nice cause then I could have a shower and unpack all my stuff without having someone else in the house.

I didn't do so much the rest of the evening and went to bed early so that I could be fit for fight on my last week of work!!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

VANCOUVER!!!

Today (Saturday) I woke up early. I think it was about 7 or sth and Anna was also awake, we said good morning and then went to sleep again ;) Jason had a cat, Kit-Kat, and I woke up a couple of times of she sneaking around. She also made my nose start running and my eyes itch so I chased her away ;)

At around 9:30 we grabbed some energy and stood up. Me and Anna slept downstairs and didn't want to go and wake up M who were sleeping upstairs, so we decided to go and get the oil changed on the SAAB before our trip to VANCOUVER!!! We wrote a little note to M and went then out to search for a Jiffy Lube, the oil place.

They took the car and apparently they do more than just a oil check. They basically looked over the whole car and also vacuumed, cleaned the windshield and checked the lights. Nice, but then they charged for all that and it was kind of expensive but the SAAB deserved a little spa treatment before the long trip.

Me and Anna started to be hungry so we got a breakfast at Mc Donald's ;) It was good with something sugary and greasy after a party night ;)

M hadn't seen our note so she called and wondered where we were, maybe she thought we had left without her ;) We picked her up and said goodbye and thank U to Jason and Rob, who hadn't left for work yet?!, and then hit the road towards the border!

We had to make a stop at the outlet mall to get a sweater for Lotta. This was the condition for having the car ;)

Everyone was really tired and we didn't really know what we were thinking about when we decided to go to Canada after our own goodbye party, but we didn't give up and although my fellow traveler fell asleep I drove and after 3 hours we reached the border.

It wasn't so bad and it took about 30 min to get through but we were a bit nervous since our VISAs expire soon and there were a couple of people who had asked us if we really were allowed to leave and then come back in to the US. We weren't sure and the officer asked about our trip home and if we had the tickets already and she looked a bit suspicious but let us through. I mean, why not? All the papers are good and we're only staying one night.

It was so hot today and the AC doesn't work in the car (what does? ;)) so we had to drive with the windows down which was very noisy. We were all very happy of getting there and get out of the car cause we weren't so fresh ;)

The hostel was on Granville St which a street with a lot of bars and stuff going on which was good for us ;) We checked in and got our room which had 4 beds and we shared with a Australian guy named Adam. He had been traveling since March this year and was planning to go home in September next year! That's a long trip! He was doing work and travel and had been all over Europe and now was he on his Canada tour.

The room was nothing special, there were two bunk beds, lockers and a fan and the beds were really unsteady and made a terrible noise when U moved. But we were just gonna sleep there so it was OK. The rest of the hostel was pretty cool with international theme. n every door there were a flag, on the walls were comments and pictures of travelers suggesting where to go and other stuff that made it more personal.

We wanted to explore the city before the nights partying so we went out immediately to see what Vancouver had to offer. When we were on the street we realized that it was past lunch time and that we were hungry. So we grabbed a pizza slice at the nearest pizza place and then walked towards the water. It was really nice and I wanted to jump in but the other two hadn't brought their swim suits (?????) and I didn't want to swim alone so we just walked along the beach and also had a ice cream.

I don't know if I think Vancouver is so beautiful as everyone says. I mean, it's nothing more special than Seattle and it feels more dirty here and more homeless, weird people. But here we all can have a beer in the bar so I'm not complaining ;)

We were able to park the car at a hotel nearby but only until 6 pm so we had to move it and find a place to park it over night. This is what I hate with having a car, and I'm not the best driver and have a sense of direction as a rake that it was very hard to find a place. Anna gave me good directions but I was always too late and just stupid.

Finally, we took the parking at the Sheraton and we guess it will be expensive but whatever!

At this time I was a bit cranky since I had been driving for so long and I was tired, hungry, unfresh and in a bad mood thanks to the parking situation. So I needed a shower and a NAP!!! The shower was probably the best one I had in weeks and I didn't want to get out of bed after the nap but my battle sister forced me.

M didn't want to go out with us tonight so just me and Anna got ready for a night out on the party streets of Vancouver!!

First we started with dinner in the Davie Village which is the gay area in the city. We went to a Italian place cause we both wanted pasta. It was a small and cozy place and very romantic ;) We celebrated us being here with a glass of wine (now when Anna was allowed to drink) and then had two pasta courses that we shared ;)

The waiter tricked us to get a dessert so we had a wonderful blueberry cheesecake and then could barely walk out of there ;)

We strolled around to downtown and then back to Granville St and checked out all the bars and tried to decide which one to go to. We went to the hostel to change shoes and say hello to M but we didn't find her ;) Then we went to a Irish pub and ordered a Guinness...it was very dark!! ;) It took us maybe an hour to finish it, but it was nice hanging in the bar and look at all the people and the sport on TV and Anna was happy ;)

Then we felt like we wanted a cocktail since we already had wine and a beer, so we found another bar where we sat down and I ordered a Malibu with passion fruit juice and Anna a Margarita. Mine was delicious, Anna's grouse ;) The bartender was not so nice and couldn't make drinks. We left pretty soon and then just walked up and down the street and looked at all the people and listened to the music. There was one awesome street performer who played the guitar and sang. His voice was so unique and there was so much emotions when he sang that I got goosebumps.

We went back to the hostel pretty early cause we were tired and I don't know if any of us was in such a big party mood. But we were happy that we were able to go out together, legally ;), and we got some drinks ;)

Back at the hostel, M was already asleep and Adam came maybe 5 minutes after us. The room was so hot and M had turned off the fan and closed the window so we were almost dying in there. we put on the fan and opened the window but we still had to sleep without a blanket. Usually I can't sleep when it's too hot but now I was too tired to even bother ;)

Funniest of the day: M when we entered the hostel: "What are we doing? I thought we were getting pizza"

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Goodbye party fot us!

Today (Friday) it was really hot and I had a lot to do before the weekend so we spend the morning at home and I let the kids watch TV so I could pack my stuff for the party tonight and Vancouver tomorrow. I'm really excited and it feels like it's gonna be a great weekend.

After lunch, I took the kids to the beach and again I had to talk Filip in to going, but finally he came but he said that he didn't want to swim but I don't care, as long as we are outside he can do whatever he want.

We went to the Idlewood park in Redmond. It's a great, big park with a lot of green grass, a beach volleyball field, a playground and a great sand beach. There were a lot of people and that's understandable since it's about 90 degrees!!! (Fahrenheit ;))

Filip went to the shade with his DS and me and Sofia put our stuff in the sun and then jumped in the water. I think this was the best water and beach this far cause there were no rocks on the bottom and no yucky sea grass all over the place. It was clean sand so it was perfect. We couldn't go that far out since Sofia is too young and don't know how to swim, but we had fun anyways. I'm more of a water animal than they are. They are always cold quickly and wants to go up long before I'm done. But then they go and play somewhere and I can just relax and tan in the sun which is not that bed either ;)

After we had been there for about 2 hours, Filip finally wanted to swim too so we all went in the water and had so much fun. we played water tag and buried each other in the sand, and when it was time to go guess who didn't want to....Filip! I said to him that if he comes and plays immediately he'll have fun much longer so I hope he'll remember this to the next time.

I had a soccer game and had to go at 5:30 so Lotta and Jonas came home earlier. They had already bought the crayfishes for the party next weekend so I hope they'll be good standing one week.

I drove to Redmond and played my indoor game. It was fun but we didn't win this time either and I didn't even score. It's not that much fun but it's good exercise and it's soccer!

I hurried home cause tonight me, Anna, M and Kadda were gonna have our goodbye party at Jason's and Rob's place (two super nice Americans that let us borrow their place for the party)

Unfortunately Kadda couldn't come cause she couldn't have the car.

M and Anna had been to Costco to buy all the stuff we needed and after I had took a shower and got dressed, I put my stuff in the car and drove to get them. Yes, I was gonna be the driver now cause apparently Anna's car can break down whenever now so it's a big risk to take it. I'm not looking forward to it but what ever choice do we have?

We came half an hour before the party was meant to start but that was OK cause no one arrives when U say it's starting, everyone come later.

The place is just perfect, it's like a apartment with two floors and it's all very clean and simple, I was surprise that there were two guys living there cause everything was so organized and clean but apparently Jason likes to have it clean around him...hmm, unusual for a guy?!

We had brought pizza cause we didn't have dinner yet and M made the yello shots and this time I'm gonna taste some! I was the driver at the last party as well so I couldn't, but today we are sleeping at their place so it's OK for me to try one or two ;)

We had also bought a lot of beer and alcohol but the guys already had some so now it was a lot, which is good ;)

The people started to drop in and soon there were a bunch. In some way, everyone wanted to be in the kitchen so there it was really crowded. Me and M were at the balcony a while and waved at the Royal Cat that was sitting next to the fence for like 2 hours ;)

Jen, Elliotte's girlfriend, brought a stereo with music which was super good since we didn't have anything like that. Jason and Rob also had a beer pong table so we played that but me and M lost so we had to drink...a lot ;)

They also had a spill hat which ever one had to wear if they spilled until someone else spilled. It was ugly but so much fun...and yes, I had to wear it once ;)

It was a great party with a lot of cool people, many that I didn't expect to show up did and it was just great to be able to say goodbye to most of my friends here, sad but great!

Mike, a American friend, was so sweet to me and Anna. Since we were leaving, he gave us a Sounders scarf each. So considerate! I was really moves and grateful and was totally not expecting anything from anyone...so nice!! And I always wanted to have one so that's just perfect.

The party was a success, we even had a visit from the cops and that shows of a great party ;) They just gave us a warning and if they would have to come again we'll get a ticket. So we just turned down the music and kept on partying.

At around 3 there were only two drunken guest left that didn't really knew how to get home so Chris (another really nice American guy) drove them home so that me, Anna and Jason could clean up. M was a bit drunken so she had fallen asleep upstairs and Rob had to go up early for work so he was also sleeping.

Jason really likes to have it clean around him and he's so nice that he didn't want us to clean up, but of course we said no and helped him until no one cold tell there would have been a party ;)

Me and Anna slept at the couches downstairs and they were so comfortable so I fell asleep fast which is good cause we have a long drive ahead of us tomorrow!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Working all day

Today I took Filip to his last tennis session :( He was sad and wants to go next week also but the teacher thought it was full so maybe I have to make that camp on my own....NOT!!
Today I decided that me and Sofia should go hiking, at the Twin Falls in Issaquah/Snoqualmie area. The weather was not that nice yet, but it would get hot today so perfect time for hiking. I packed our lunch bag and then we were on our way. Sofia brought, of course, Maja who's going everywhere. And also a lot of books to have in the car (which was great for me cause then she was occupied reading and didn't talk to me so much ;))

It takes about 45 minutes to get there and I took a wrong turn once so we were there around 10:30. The hike goes along a river and this was the first hike I did here so I wanted it to be the last one also. This time it was with Sofia and not Anna and Kadda, but she was good company also. The hardest part is that she wants to hold my hand all the time and since she's jumping and climbing everywhere, my arm got a bit sore ;)

We took pretty frequent brakes and ate from our good lunch box which had sandwiches, watermelon, yogurt and chocolate balls ;)

At one of the brakes, there were a couple of curious chipmunks keeping us company, hoping we would drop some ;) They are so cute and I just waited for them to stand up and sing as in Alvin and the chipmunks ;) Would have been fun ;)

The weather got much better so it was really hot walking there in the forest, up and down the mountain so I was all sweaty when we got to the first waterfall. There is one more, a bigger if U continue the trail but I felt it was enough for us with just the first, small one so we turned back there.

Sofia needed to go to the restroom really bad so we almost run the last part and when we came to the parking lot, she was almost tackled by a big dog that jumped out from a car. Sofia got scared cause of the surprise attack and it looked really funny ;)

Before we went home we stopped at the outlet mall in North Bend where I wanted to look in the Pacsun store after a shirt I wanted. They didn't have it but I bought three t-shirts instead ;)

We also stopped at the Krispy Creme and bough doughnuts for us tonight ;)

Sofia read for me, before we walked down to get Filip, and I must say that I could never be a teacher cause I don't have the patience. I know that it's hard for them in the beginning when they learn how to read but it's kind of frustrating when they do the same mistake over and over again!!! Glad I'm not a teacher.

Filip got some candy from the tennis so we sat down in the park and ate it before we went home. Even today he was wining and just so teasing. I don't know what his problem is. So after we had played some games, we went to the beach and while he were in the woods playing on my phone, me and Sofia were in the water cooling off. It was really nice and when the lifeguards were gone, we jumped a couple of times before we went home to make dinner.

Since Sofia and I had pancakes yesterday, Filip also wanted that so we made them today as well. This time they weren't as great as last time but they were still good. Both Filip and Sofia helped and we were really hungry when we started to eat. Also this time we had strawberry jam and whipped cream so we were all very full and happy afterwards.

Then the kids were really good and did some homework. Filip did for his R practise and Sofia read for me again. Afterwards, they could watch TV. Their new favourite show is a cartoon called Phenas & Pherb and they watch it every morning and evening. I like it too so I watched with them, and later they got the doughnut.

At the beach today, Filip got some resin in his hair from sitting under a tree. This was very sticky and I read on Internet that U could use butter to take it off so we tried that and then we rinsed it off and it worked! Feel really proud and responsible!

When I had read them a story and put them to bed, I cleaned up a bit and then sat with my computer in my lap when Anna joined me and we watched Americas funniest home videos, ate doughnuts and chips and tried to think about the weekend. It's more clear now but I still have to call the Hostel tomorrow cause we couldn't make a reservation online.

Lotta and Jonas are on a opera tonight, that's why I'm still on in the evening. So my day was now between 7:30-00:00, just 16 1/2 hours - that's nothing!

And bye the way, CONGRATULATION ANNA who got accepted at the university in Germany. Where there ever any doubts? ;)

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

A cool day!

Today (Wednesday) I took Sofia to the bank cause I needed to put back the money on my American account so that we could pay off that damn ticket! We also bought egg and jam so that we could have pancakes for lunch.

Anna came over with Slater and he played with Sofia while we tried to fix the ticket. We called but didn't really get what they wanted from us so we had a conversation over email and it ended up with us paying online and now everything should be fine, I hope!

Me and Sofia made pancakes and this time they were GREAT!! The best ones ever, nothing was wrong ;) I'm proud over myself...and Sofia! We had strawberry jam and whipped cream to it so afterwards we were very full.

This evening, the family would meet the next babysitter for the kids, since I'm leaving soon ;) and Sofia wanted to make chocolate balls for him. So we did and both we and the kitchen was all messy when we were done. I don't understand how it can get out of the bowl so much ;)

When everything and everyone was clean, we hurried to the beach cause it was so hot today and we could swim and play for about two hours before we needed to get Filip. Sofia got a shaved ice again and she sat as a frog eating it, it was cute and fun ;)

When we had got Filip,went back again to the beach and again, Filip was whining about that we ALWAYS were at the beach...well yes, when it's like 30 degrees there is not so much else U want to do. And once again me and Sofie were in the water for maybe 10 minutes and then he came as well and we had so much fun. When the lifeguards left, early today!, I also jumped from the dock with them and it was great!

Back home we just changed and then Lotta called and said that they were on their way and that we should meet them in Kirkland. We didn't go at once since they have to drive from Redmond and then they were gonna pick this guy up on their way. Downtown, when we saw that they weren't there, we walked on the deck and watched all the nice boats that laid there. We wanted to trade one of them with one of our chocolate balls but I don't think anyone wanted that ;)

Well, we waited, and waited and waited. After about one hour they called and said that they were soon there. OK! So me and the kids walked to the Marina Park where they had the Farmer Market today so we checked that out and then waited some more before they came.

The guy's name is Theo and the kids have met him before cause he's a teacher in the Swedish school. Since I had been with the kids from 7:30 this morning and it was now 7, I didn't stay. So I don't know how it went or how he is but I guess he's nice.

I wanted to have a pizza slice at Zeke's but they didn't have any cause it was after 4...bla bla bla so I went home and then drove to Mc Donald's and got a chicken wrap and a vanilla shake...jum! Then I drove to Anna's place to meet here and M so that we could plan our weekend. I just wanna say that I hate when people mess with my food, and Mc Donald's did!!! I asked for RANCH sauce and they gave me some damn BBQ CHIPOTTLE!!! How hard can it be??!!

The planning didn't go so well and we didn't really make a decision, but we think Anna will drive, that we might stay at a hostel and that we need to buy stuff for the party as well...it was fun ;)

I went home pretty soon cause I was grumpy and needed to sleep. This was also the last day I had to take my antibiotics so I hope I'll get more energy now. Or maybe it's just my life that makes me so tired. I told Lotta and Jonas about all my problems and all the stress about the weekend and they just laughed at me and said that it sounded that I have a really hard life....I do!!!

Miss U all!

Love Sandra

Anna has no brain!!!

Today (Tuesday) me and Sofia didn't really know what to do in the morning so we just watched TV, coloured, read and played games before we had lunch and then my stuffed animals joined us with their own plates ;)

It not really the most exciting morning but well well....at around 1 we went to Anna's place cause now the sun came out and we wanted to try the pool ;) Anna thought it was too cold but she's such a pussy ;) This was the first time I was allowed to jump in the water cause my wound is good now!!!! So I just had to make a canon ball on Sofia who were on the floating mattress trying to dry off ;) It felt good ;)

We couldn't stay so long since Filip's tennis camp ended at 3 so we went home and then walked down to get him. The weather was not that great so I suggested that we should go to a park and so we did. We went to "Ronja's Park" and played some soccer for a while but then the sun came out so me and Sofia wanted to go to the beach, but of course Filip didn't want to do that cause he had already been in the water once today...what's that? A kid who doesn't like going to the beach...it's just weird.

But after some discussion he sat in the car and we went to the beach, and of course Filip went in the water ;)

Back home, Filip had to get ready cause he had his first soccer practice today, and again he made a big fuss that he didn't want to go and that he never said that he wanted to play soccer again!! OMG!!! He would rather be at home and watch TV that be with his friends, so boring and it's always the nagging that drives me crazy!!! But Jonas and Lotta said that he had to go this time and then he could see, and of course he had a blast!

Another problem came up today! The parking ticket that me and Anna got when we were on our hike last weekend had to be paid this week and it was Anna's task to do it, and so she did. Yesterday she went to the post office and sent the account information and everything was good, until this morning when she stopped to use her brain. She went to the bank and closed her account!!! Hmmm...wonder if the payment went through before?..dah?!!! So, now we have to do it again, but with my account, so after dinner I had to walk to the bank, get some money from my Swedish account and then put it on my American account. As if I didn't have enough bad luck right now, the ATM I walked to didn't work so I had to walk to another one that was in the opposite direction......aarrgghhh!!! And on this one I couldn't put the money in to my American account, so I have to do that tomorrow. I was so irritated when I walked back home, but it was nice that I had a soccer game so that I could get out all of my frustrations on the field.

This was the first outdoor game in 2 weeks so I was really excited and we started out strong and took the lead but soon they scored so in half it was 2-2. In second half we were really confused, couldn't even get the line up straight and that was kind of how it was the rest of the game. I don't know what the end result was but we lost. I scored but it didn't count cause apparently I did a high kick....whatever!

This might have been my last game cause the next one is when we are in Vancouver and the last one is on the 24th when my year is over so I'm not sure if I'll play since I'm leaving the day after...but probably I will ;)

Miss U all!

Love Sandra